Forget texting and driving, this everyday phone habit sends even more people to the ER
TL;DR A new study analyzing nearly 1.8 million federal hospital records reveals the everyday phone habits linked to thousands of ER visits in the US. Losing balance while walking and using a phone topped the list, accounting for an estimated 7,760 ER visits between 2021 and 2025, with seniors most affected. Distracted driving, falling down stairs, and walking into obstacles were also among the leading causes of…
TL;DR A new study analyzing nearly 1.8 million federal hospital records reveals the everyday phone habits linked to thousands of ER visits in the US. Losing balance while walking and using a phone topped the list, accounting for an estimated 7,760 ER visits between 2021 and 2025, with seniors most affected. Distracted driving, falling down stairs, and walking into obstacles were also among the leading causes of phone-related injuries. Smartphones have become such an integral part of our lives that many of us hardly ever think twice before pulling one out of our pockets . I know I’m guilty of pulling mine out even when I’m in the middle of real-world conversations, and as it turns out, people are doing the same, albeit in far more serious situations. Phones are convenient, though they aren’t necessarily harmless, and a new study is reiterating how glancing at your phone at the wrong moment could land you in the emergency room (ER).